Oprah Winfrey settles headmistress’ lawsuit

Philadelphia — Oprah Winfrey has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a headmistress she had accused of performing poorly at her South African girls school, where some students claimed they were abused, lawyers said Tuesday.

The lawsuit by former headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane claimed Winfrey defamed her in remarks made in the wake of the 2007 sex-abuse scandal at the school. Mzamane said she had trouble finding a job after Winfrey stated she had “lost confidence” in her and was “cleaning house from top to bottom.”

A trial had been set to start next week in federal court in Philadelphia. Winfrey and several schoolgirls had been expected to testify.

A joint statement released late Tuesday by lawyers for both sides said Winfrey and Mzamane met to resolve their differences.

“The two parties met woman to woman without their lawyers and are happy that they could resolve this dispute peacefully to their mutual satisfaction,” the statement said.

O’Donnell looking for daytime TV comeback

New York — Rosie O’Donnell plans an “uplifting” new television talk show for launch next year that aims squarely at the audience Oprah Winfrey is leaving behind when her show ends.

O’Donnell won six Daytime Emmys in six years as host of an entertainment-oriented talk show that ended in 2002, but is planning something different this time — a single-topic aspirational show that sounds much like what Winfrey is doing right now.

Her success depends on convincing viewers that she’s not the polarizing figure she’s often seemed in the ensuing years, whether she can set up distribution outside of the traditional studio system and getting television executives to bet on something new at a time they’re struggling for money.

“I would like this show to make a difference in people’s lives, to be real, uplifting, authentic and focus on life, love and laughter,” O’Donnell, 48, said.

Jerry Springer hosts new dating game show

Los Angeles — Jerry Springer is reinventing himself again, this time as host of a dating game series.

“Baggage,” debuting next month on the Game Show Network, gives three contestants the chance to win the eye of a prospective date. The hitch: Contestants have to reveal their faults and foibles.

Players will carry suitcases onstage to represent the baggage they’ll confess to and defend, GSN said Tuesday. Among the planned suitors: a shoplifter, a woman who gets advice from psychics and a control freak.

Springer called “Baggage” a family friendly show that’s “just fun and lighthearted. There’s no life-changing issues.”

“I’m like the crazy old uncle,” he said. “People feel comfortable telling me their secrets, that I won’t be judgmental.”

Newly single Hewitt offers relationship tips

New York — Jennifer Love Hewitt had more than a breakup on her hands when she recently split from her “Ghost Whisperer” co-star Jamie Kennedy. She was about to embark on a tour promoting her new book about relationships.

“It wasn’t ideal timing,” the 31-year-old actress admits, laughing. “Here’s my relationship book and I’m single.”

Still, she has gone ahead with the publicity tour for “The Day I Shot Cupid: My Name is Jennifer Love Hewitt and I’m a Love-Aholic.” And she’s embracing one of its lessons: Allow yourself 72 hours to wallow after a breakup. Then move forward.

“Put your big girl pants on and move on,” Hewitt tells The Associated Press. “Seventy-two hours is an appropriate time. After that you start to smell and your friends don’t want to talk to you. … It doesn’t mean it fixes your feelings or takes away the sadness. You should just start to go, ‘I’m OK.'”

The book also includes these tips: Accept that men will always check out other women. Guys hate to spoon. And one shouldn’t be overzealous with a new significant other.

Accused Patridge stalker to get mental evaluation

Los Angeles — A judge in Los Angeles has suspended the criminal case against a man charged with stalking Audrina Patridge so doctors can evaluate his mental competency.

Zachary Loring attempted to plead guilty Tuesday to a felony charge that he stalked “The Hills” star, but his attorney objected and a judge refused to accept the plea.

The 24-year-old criticized the court in a brief profanity-laced tirade before being returned to custody. He is being held on $150,000 bail after his arrest outside Patridge’s home in February.

Danny Glover tries to save Hugo Boss jobs

Brooklyn, Ohio — Actor and activist Danny Glover has offered hugs and moral support to Cleveland-area workers at a men’s suit plant that faces a shutdown next month with the loss of 375 jobs.

Workers at the Hugo Boss plant in Brooklyn, Ohio, cheered as the star of the “Lethal Weapon” action movies toured the operation Tuesday.

Glover later held a news conference and appealed to Germany’s Hugo Boss AG to reverse its shutdown decision. Glover led a boycott of Hugo Boss formal wear at the Academy Awards earlier this month.